Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

"A deal?"

"Let's hear it."

Ye Chen said calmly, his expression unchanged.

"Actually… I'm from the Song family." Song Yubing took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on Ye Chen as she spoke with a solemn voice.

"The Song family?"

Her words first left everyone stunned. Then, as if they'd all had the same thought, their eyes widened in shock.

"Don't tell me it's the Song family from Dongxuan Province?" Old Ghost Wushan exclaimed in shock.

With Li Yunxiao staying behind to guard the sect's mountain and Luo Sandao still recovering from his severe injuries,

Old Ghost Wushan was the most experienced of all the sect's experts present.

That was why the moment he heard Song Yubing mention the Song family, he immediately thought of that behemoth!

To his surprise, however, Song Yubing nodded in confirmation. "That's right. The Song family from Dongxuan Province."

"Dongxuan Province is the largest province in the eastern part of the Great Hong Dynasty! And the Song family is one of its top factions!"

"As a member of the Song family, why are you with the Cyan Rainbow Hall?"

"So why have you come looking for our Sect Leader?"

Old Ghost Wushan's face was grave as he spoke.

Although Ye Chen's strength was peerless, he was still young and knew little about the outside world.

Seeing the solemn look on Old Ghost Wushan's face, Ye Chen realized that the Song family was likely far more formidable than the Cyan Rainbow Hall.

"In one month, Dongxuan Province will be holding a Peach Banquet."

"I hope you will represent the Cyan Rainbow Hall."

Song Yubing said slowly, biting her lip.

"The Peach Banquet?"

"You don't mean the grand feast held by the Dongxuan Prefecture to gather the finest talents in the land?"

Old Ghost Wushan gasped, and the others also looked shocked.

"Dongxuan Prefecture?" Ye Chen frowned slightly.

"Sect Leader, the Dongxuan Prefecture is on a completely different level from our own Lei Province Prefecture."

"Lei Province is remote. In truth, its Prefecture has almost no connection to the Great Hong Dynasty."

"It's merely an institution the Dynasty established in name only. Most of the time, it's autonomous. The Dynasty rarely intervenes—or rather, it can't and doesn't want to manage the affairs out here."

"But the Dongxuan Prefecture is completely different."

"Dongxuan Province is the largest province in the eastern region, and it's closely tied to the central court of the Great Hong Dynasty."

"It's said that every year, the Dongxuan Prefecture sends a group of monstrously talented prodigies to the Great Hong Dynasty's royal family. This Peach Banquet seems to be one of the ways they select these individuals!"

Old Ghost Wushan explained, his expression grave, leaving everyone listening in stunned silence.

'No wonder only the Undying Demon Lord from the Penglai Sect showed up from Dongxuan Province when the Dragon Prison Cave opened.'

'The major powers over there must all be busy preparing for this upcoming Peach Banquet!'

"This gentleman is absolutely right!" Song Yubing couldn't help but cast a surprised glance at Old Ghost Wushan. "The event I'm inviting you to, sir, is indeed the Peach Banquet!"

"Why me, specifically?" Ye Chen was inwardly surprised after learning the origins of the Peach Banquet. "This is a golden opportunity for someone to make a name for themselves. Is the Cyan Rainbow Hall really just going to hand it to me?"

"You may not be aware, sir," Song Yubing said, shaking her head, her voice soft. "While I wouldn't say the Cyan Rainbow Hall has declined over the years, our younger generation of geniuses is a step below those from other top factions."

"What's more, we'll have to contend with prodigies from the entire eastern region of the Dynasty! Especially those monsters from Dongxuan Province! As the standard-bearers for the whole eastern region, they will be our greatest obstacle!"

"Without your help, sir, even if we secure a spot at the Peach Banquet, we won't have much chance of success."

Everyone had witnessed Ye Chen's strength with their own eyes.

Even a top genius from Dongxuan Province like the Undying Demon Lord was defeated at Ye Chen's hands.

No one could question Ye Chen's talent and strength!

"That may be so, but what does any of this have to do with you being from the Song family?" Ye Chen asked after a moment's hesitation.

"The past is in the past, and it's a long story."

Song Yubing's expression darkened. "I sincerely hope you will represent the Cyan Rainbow Hall, sir. We can give you the spot for the Peach Banquet free of charge. If you achieve a high rank, we won't touch a single bit of the rewards!"

"I… I just want to get back something that belongs to my mother."

With that, Song Yubing fell silent, apparently awaiting Ye Chen's answer.

Ye Chen fell into contemplative silence. This was the first he'd ever heard of the Peach Banquet.

He couldn't help but look toward Old Ghost Wushan.

"Grand Elder, what are your thoughts on this?"

Old Ghost Wushan quickly replied, "Sect Leader, the Peach Banquet is an incredibly rare and grand affair. It's typically held only once every ten years or so!"

"What's more, the most outstanding participants can obtain the legendary peaches!"

"According to legend, they are true celestial treasures—Spirit Fruits that are born only after being meticulously cultivated for several hundred years by a Great Power at the Divinity Transformation Realm or higher, all within a Tier Seven or greater Spirit-Gathering Array!"

"Those peaches are of immense benefit even to Divinity Transformation Cultivators! If a Cultivator below that realm were to consume one, their power would skyrocket, and they would be practically reborn!"

At this, Old Ghost Wushan's expression suddenly turned bleak.

"It's just that... for Cultivators in Lei Province, all of this is a distant dream. In a place like this, there are essentially no prodigies qualified enough to even attend the Peach Banquet."

"After all, the absolute minimum requirement for entry is the Primordial Mansion Realm! And participants must be no older than thirty! The spots are almost all snatched up by the major powers, leaving none for the likes of us!"

"With your peerless talent, Sect Leader, attending would be no issue. And regardless of whether you achieve a high rank, I think just being qualified to participate is enough to make countless people envious."

Hearing this, Ye Chen became thoughtful.

'Indeed, the Peach Banquet holds more pros than cons for me.'

'To keep getting stronger, to uncover the secret of the Qin family's downfall, to find Fairy Luoxia and Qin Ruotong…'

'I can't pass up any opportunity to grow stronger!'

"When you first invited me to join the Cyan Rainbow Hall, were you already thinking about this?" Ye Chen asked suddenly.

Song Yubing paused, then shook her head. "At the time, I didn't know your talent was so supreme, sir. I only thought you had great potential, and I've always had an appreciation for talent."

"But as you gradually revealed your power, sir, I realized just how much you were hiding."

Ye Chen nodded. After a moment of thought, he finally agreed.

"We leave in three days."